Dispensing container



0d 1, 1940- w. A. RINGLER DIsPENsING CONTAINER Filed 001;. 19, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR f l m l w Milla/a. /'fjgr BY f ATTORNEY .Oct- 1. 1940 w. A. RINGLER miams DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed OGL 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lllllll Il 42' INVENTOR @gianna @ggf/fr Patented Oct. l, 1940 21ans DISPENSENG CONTAINER William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., assigner to National Folding Box Company, New Haven,

Conn., a corporation of New Jersey Application October 19, 1938, Serial No. 235,725

6 Claims.

This invention relates to dispensing containers and more particularly to a dispensing container formed from paperboard material adapted for the dispensing of interleaved sheets.

Articles of merchandise such as toilet tissue, paper towels, paper napkins and facial tissues are generally packed and sold in lots of one hundred or more sheets which are folded and interleaved together so that the withdrawal of one sheet will expose the free end of the neXt succeeding sheet so that it can be readily grasped and withdrawn from the stacked pile of sheets. Such stacked interleaved sheets are generally packaged in a shipping carton or contain-er from which they are removed and then inserted into a permanent dispenser which forms no part of the original carton in which the interleaved stack of sheets is packed. A satisfactory and economically constructed interleaved sheet-dispensing device, which could serve both as a shipping carton and a dispensing device and which can be so economically made as to permit the same to be discarded after the sheets have been dispensed therefrom, has long been sought.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved dispensing container for interleaved sheets, in which the interleaved sheets may be packed and shipped and from which the sheets may be separately dispensed as desired, which dispensing container can be economically manufactured and packed substantially entirely by automatic machinery, at a cost which compares favorably with the cost of manufacturing and packaging paperboard cartons for this purpose which do not possess the dispensing feature.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved paperboard dispensing container having a suspension hanger associated therewith wherebythe container may be conveniently sus- 40 pended from one oir-more wall hooks while the sheet contents are being dispersedtherefrom.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved dispensing container formed from a single blank of paperboard material in which sheeted articles of merchandise, such as toilet tissue, paper towels, paper napkins and facial tissues, may be packaged `and contained during shipment and storage and from which such sheeted articles may `be individually dispensed. i i i Another object of this invention is to provide an improved container` formed from a single blank of paperboard material having a hanger device associated therewith by which` the container may be hung in suspended position for (Cl. 20G-57) display or dispensing purposes, the hanger device having means associated therewith for locking the container closure in closed position.

Other objects of this invention Will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

In accordance with my invention an improved dispensing container is provided formed from a single blank of paperboard material into which the interleaved sheets arranged in stacked relationship may be inserted during the assembly of the container, the container further being provided with a hanger device by means of which the container may be held in suspended position while the interleaved sheets are individually dispensed and withdrawn through a dispensing slot or opening provided in the bottom section thereof. The front and rear wall sections of the paperboard container are each provided with bottom-forming sections hinged thereto. When these bottom-forming sections are turned inwardly in substantial alignment, they have a combined width sumcient to substantially close the lower end of the container. When the bottom-forming sections are arranged in downwardly inclined gable-forming position they dene a convenient dispensing slot therebetween. A pair of foot tabs extend from the adjacent lower end of each of the side wall sections, which tabs are turned inwardly and secured to the bottom-forming sectionsin such a manner asvto support the two bottom-forming sections in downwardly inclined gable-forming position. This container is particularly adapted for the dispensing of relatively stii paper sheets, such as paper towels as Well as softer or more pliable sheets, such as vides a strong and sturdy hanger support for the container and its contents. A closure flap is hinged to the front wall section, which is of a size to substantially cover the top end of the container. The closure flap is provided with a tuck-in flap hinged thereto which extends into the container. 'I'he hanger device is provided with a locking tab adapted to be inserted into an elongated slotprovided in the closure' flap to lock the closure flapin closed position.

Various otherfeatures and advantages of the invention` will be apparent from the following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are bclieved to be characteristic of this invention Will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner inwhich it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a prepared blank from which my improved dispensing container is formed;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the container as it appears after the sheet material to be dispensed therefrom has been inserted therein;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the packed container showing the container closure nap partially assembled in container-closing position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the packed container as it appears when fully assembled and closed ready for suspension upon suitable wall hooks;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the container, showing more particularly the elongated dispensing opening in the bottom section thereof;

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the fully assembled container as it appears when in sheet-dispensing position;

Fig. '1 is a fragmentary perspective View of the blank shown in Fig. 1 as it appears when partially assembled into container form;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of the container as it appears when fully assembled ready to dispense sheet material therefrom; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom portion of the container asy it appears when collapsed for shipment.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts through the drawings and the specification.

This dispensing container is particularly adapted for the dispensing of paper sheets, such as paper towels and the like, but may also be used for dispensing lighter and more pliant interleaved sheets, such as paper tissue. 'Ihis container may be economically formed from a single blank of paperboard material, as illustrated in Fig. 1, comprising a rear wall section 3| and a front wall section 32 joined together by a side wall section 33 along the score lines 34. A side wall section 35 hinged to the front wall section 32 along the score line-33 is adapted to be secured to a securing flap 31 hinged to the rear wall section 3| along the score line 38 as by staples b or by.a suitable adhesive; thus to provide a tubular container body.

A closure flap I I hinged to the front wall section 32 along the score line 38, is provided to form a closure for the top of the container. The

- closure flap II is of such width and length as to face of the rear wall section 3|. A cut line I1 joins the spaced score lines I6, the cut I1 being somewhat arcuate in shape so that when the tuck-in nap is inserted inwardly of the container, a lug portion I3 cut out from the closure ilap i I extends upwardly and denes a slit opening I3 between the tuck-in ilap I 5 and the adjacent free edge of the closure flap II.

A convenient hanger device 2D connected to the rear wall section 3| of the container blank is provided, from which the container may be held in suspended position fro-m one or more wall hooks, so that the sheet contents may be conveniently dispensed. The hanger device comprises a hanger flap 2| hinged to the upper end of the rear wall section 3| along the score line 33, and a downturned hanger flap 23 hinged to the hanger nap 2| along the score line 24, so as to provide a double ply paperboard hanger. One or more holes or openings 29 are provided in hanger flap 2| with which corresponding holes or openings 36 provided in the downturned hanger flap 23 align to provide hook-receiving'openings o in the hanger device.

Means associated with the hanger device are provided for locking the closure flap I I in closed position, which means comprises an inturned flap 25 hinged to the inturned hanger flap 23 along the score line 26, the inturned ap 25 lying between the inside face of the rear wall section 3| and the tuck in iiap I5 of the closure II when the container is in closed assembled position. A locking tab 28 cut out from the inturned ilap 25 by the cut line 21 therein is arranged to be inserted into the slit I9 so as to overlie the lug projection IB and the tuck-in ap I5 of the closure flap II, to lock the closure II in closed position.

The container formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1 is provided with a novel bottom construction, which constitutes an important feature of this invention. As shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8, the bottom construction of the container is of generally gable-shape when in dispensing position. Projecting from the lower edges of both the rear wall section 3| and the front wall section 32, is a gable-forming flap 40 hinged to the respective rear and front wall sections 3| and 32 along the score line 4|. Each of the gable flaps 4l) is provided with an inturned flap 42 hinged thereto along the score line 43 so as to provide a double ply bottom construction, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Projecting from the lower end of each of the side wall sections 33 and 35 are a pair of foot tabs 46 and 41 which are separated by an end slot s1. Each of the foot tabs 46 and 41 are traversed by a pair of spaced diagonally extending score lines 48 and 5|, which meet and terminate at the meeting point of the body defining score lines 34, 38 and 4|. Score lines 48 and 5| define therebetween a triangular section 50, which is adapted to fold inwardly as illustrated in Fig. 9. The score lines 48 define the slope or camber given to the gable flaps 4l) when the container is in dispensing position, as shown in Fig. 8, whereas the score lines 5l denne the lower edge of the side wall sections 33 and 35 when the gable flaps 36 are arranged in collapsed shipping position, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

The dispensing container is assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 1 by securing the securing tab 31 to the free edge of the side wall section 35 so as to provide a tubular body construction comprising rear Wall section 3|, front wall section 32 and connecting side wall sections 33 and 35. Foot portions 41 extending from the end of side wall sections 33 and 35 are then inserted inwardly in position to overlie the inside face of the gable flap 4|) hinged to the front wall section 32. Care should be taken so that the -gable fold line 48 therein substantially coincides with the free ends 4U' of the gable flap 40. Flap 42 is then inturned, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9, so as to overlie the inside face of the gable flap 4l] and the foot tabs 41. It will be noted that the end portions 44 of the nap 42 are cut away substantially the thickness of the paperboard comprising the foot tabs 41. Staples b` or other securing means extending through the gable flap 40, the foot tabs 41 and the inturned ap 42 are provided for securing these parts firmly together as illustrated in Fig. 11. It Will be noted that the triangular portions 50 of the foot tabs 41 are free and unsecured to the gable flap 4U, so that these parts may fold inwardly, as shown in Fig. 9, when the bottom is in collapsed position. These triangular portions `5|) also provide tension supports for the ends of the gable flaps 40 when arranged in downwardly inclined dispensing position, as shown' in Figs. 5 and 6.

The foot tabs 4S are also inserted inwardly so as to overlie the inside face of the gable flap 40 hinged to the rear wall section 3|, the foot tabs 4E being so arranged that the gable-defining score line 48 substantiallyl coincides with the free ends 4t of the gable flap 40. Flap 42 is then inturned so as to overlie the inside face of the gable ap 4i) and the foot tabs 46. Staples b or other securing means extending through the gable flap 40, foot tabs 46, and the inturned flap 42 are provided to secure these parts firmly together. The ends 44 of the flap 42 are out away substantially the thickness of the paperboard forming the foot tabs 46 so as to provide room therefor.

The bottom construction thus formed comprises two` inwardly extended gable naps, one hinged to the front wall section 32 and the other hinged to the rear wall section 3|, the ends of these flaps defined by the score lines 43 being separated a distance suflicient to provide a convenient dispensing slot s therebetween when arranged in downwardly inclined dispensing position. The slot ends s' extending upwardly into the side wall sections 33 and 35, which end slots separate the foot tabs 46 and 41, form in effect a continuation of the dispensing slot s when the container is assembled. The end slots s provide a convenient opening into which the finger or other instrument may be inserted to facilitate ejection'of the interleaved sheets` in event the lowermost sheet cannot be conveniently grasped through the slot opening. s. The hinged triangular portions 50 of the foot tabs 46 and 41 provide tension devices which serve to hold the gable flaps 4I! in downwardly inclined dispensing position.

When the sheet contents have been packed into the container, the container may be sealed by turning the end flaps |3 hinged to the side wall sections 33 and 35 along the score lines 39 inwardly. The closure flap hinged to the front wall section 32 along the score line 38 is then folded inwardly and the tuck-in aphinged to the .closure iiap along the score line I6 is tucked inwardly into the container. The hanger device 2li is assembled by folding the inturned hanger iiap 23 along the score line 24 over its companion hanger flap 2| which is hinged to the rear wall section 3| along the score lines 38.

Tuck-in flap 25 hinged to the hanger flap 23 along the score line 26 is then inserted into the container so as to lie between the rear wall section 3| and the tuck-in nap l5. Locking tab 28 is substantially simultaneously folded over the lug portion I8 and inserted into the elongated slot I9" provided in the closure flap thus securely holding the .closure flap in closed position, thus completing the packaging and sealing of the container.

A plurality of lled containers formed from the blank shown in Fig. 1 may be conveniently stacked in a minimum of space due to the fact that the gable flaps 4 may be pressed towards th-e contents so as to lie substantially perpendicular to the front wall section 32 and rear wall section 3| with both gable flaps 40 lying in substantially the same plane and substantially closing the bottom end thereof. The triangular portions 5U of the foot tabs 45 and 41 will then fold inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 9, so that a substantially flat bottom for the container is provided. Furthermore, the hanger flaps 2| and 23 may be folded inwardly, so as to overlie the closure naps along the fold lines 38 and 26, so that a substantially rectangular package is provided.

When the sheet contents are to be dispensed, the container may be conveniently suspended from a pair of wall hooks by means of the suspension device 2|). The gable flaps 4l) will have a tendency to spring outwardly so as to lie in a downwardly inclined position, defining a dispensing slot s therebetween. It has been found that certain sheets of paper material of a relatively heavy nature, such as paper towels, can be dispensed in a highly satisfactory manner when packaged in a container having a gableshaped bottom constructed as above described. The gabled bottom is unusually strong and sturdy in construction. The smooth calendered surface of the inturned naps 42 and the rounded edges defined by the fold lines 43, facilitate the convenient and positive ejection of the separate interleaved sheets as they are drawn therefrom.

While this container is particularly adapted for the dispensing of stacked interleaved paper towels, the same may be used and is adapted for the dispensing of other interleaved sheet material.

The dispensing container herein disclosed is economical in paperboard, can be formed, packed and assembled substantially entirely by automatic machinery at relatively low cost. The Container lends itself readily to attractive decoration, and may be made of any desired size suitable to house and contain the stacked interleaved sheets.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed herein. and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing container for interleaved sheets formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a rear wall section, a front wall section, side wall sections joining said front and rear wall sections, a bottom wall V having a sheet dispensing slot therein, said slot continuing a limited distance into said side wall sections whereby to partially expose the ends of the adjacent interleaved sheets, each of said side wall sections having a pair of spaced tabs extending therefrom for supporting the bottom wall, said bottom wall comprising a flap hinged to each of said front and rear wall sections, each of said tabs having fold lines extending transversely thereacross defining a fold portion and a free end portion, means for securing said front and rear wall flaps to the free ends of the adjacent tabs to normally retain said front and rear wall aps in downwardly inclined position, the fold portions of said tabs being foldable so as to permit the arrangement of said bottom-forming flaps in position substantially in the same plane during shipment and storage of the container.

2. A combined shipping and dispensing container for interleaved sheets formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a rear wall section, a front wall section, side wall sections joining said front and rear wall sections, a bottom wall having a dispensing slot therein through which said interleaved sheets may be separately withdrawn, tabs extending inwardly from said side wall sections for supporting said bottom wall, said bottom wall comprising a' bottom forming nap hinged to each of said front and rear wall sections, means for securing said tabs to said front and rear wall flaps to support said front and rear wall flaps in downwardly extending gable formation providing a dispensing slot therebetween, said tabs being foldable to permit said front and rear wall flaps when in shipping position to be arranged in substantially the same plane with the meeting edges of said front and rear wall flaps substantially closing said dispensing slot.

3. A shipping and dispensing container for interleaved sheet material formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a tubular body portion comprising a rear wall section, a front wall section, and side wall sections joining said front and rear wall sections, a bottom forming flap hinged to each of said front and rear wall sections, a pair of tabs extending from the lower end of each of said side wall sections, means for securing said tabs to said front and rear wall flaps to support said flaps in gable-shaped formation defining a dispensing slot therebetween, said tabs being foldable when the container is in shipping position whereby said bottom-forming iiaps may be positioned to lie in substantially the same plane and close to said dispensing slot.

4. A prepared paperboard blank from which a dispensing container may be formed including,

, a front facing section, a rear facing section, a

side section hingedly connected along its side edges to said facing sections, and a second side section hingedly connected along one side edge to the adjacent side edge of one of said facing sections, and a bottom forming construction for assembly into gabled formation including, a pair of spaced similar securing tabs hingedly ccnnected to the lower end of each of said side wall sections along a pair of downwardly inclined converging score lines, a slot forming notch cut into each of said side wall sections at the lower end thereof, each of said notches extending between the tabs of the respective pairs and into said side wall section beyond the converging score lines, and an exterior gable forming ap having a width greater than the width of the adjacent tabs hinged along the score line to the lower edge of each of said facing sections, each of said score lines having its ends terminating adjacent the upper ends of the adjacent converging score lines when the blank is assembled, and an inturned overlying flap hinged to each of said' lexterior flaps having a length less than the length of the exterior flap to which it is hinged.

5. A dispensing container for interleaved sheets formed from a single blank of paperboard material including, a rear wall section, a front wall section, side wall sections joining said front and rear wall sections, each of said side wall sections having a pair of spaced tabs extending from one end thereof, each of said tabs having a plurality of fold lines extending transversely thereacross, defining a fold portion and a free end portion, and a bottomforming flap hinged to each of said front and rear wall sections, one of the tabs extending from each of said side wall sections having the free end portion thereof turned inwardly and secured to said front wall flap and the other of said tabs extending from each of said side wall sections having the free end portion thereof extending inwardly and secured to said rear wall flap, saidfold portions being operative to support said front and rear wall flaps in downwardly inclined position providing a gableshaped formation and defining a dispensing opening therebetween, said tabs being foldable whereby said bottom-forming flaps may be positioned to lie in substantially the same plane and at substantial right angles to said front and rear wall sections.

6. A dispensing container for interleaved sheets formed nfrom a single blank of paperboard material including, a rear wall section, a front wall section, side wall sections joining said front and rear wall sections, each of said side wall sections having a pair of spaced tabs extendingfrom one end thereof, each of said tabs having aplurality of fold lines extending transversely thereacross defining a fold portion and a freeuend portion, and a bottom-forming ap hinged to each of said front and rear wall sections, one of the tabs extending from each of said side wall sections having the free end portion thereof turned inwardly and secured to said front wall flap and the other of said tabs extending from each of said side wall sections having the free end portion thereof extending inwardly and secured to said rear wall ap, said fold. portions being operative to support said front and rear wall flaps in downwardly inclined position providing a gable-shaped formation, the fold portions rof said tabs being foldable inwardly to permit inward collapse of said bottom-forming flaps whereby said bottom-forming flaps may be positioned to lie in substantially the same plane and at substantially right angles to said front and rear Wall sections.

WILLIAM A. RINGLER. 

